Kerala High Court Orders Detailed Audit Within 10 Days, Seeks Safeguards in TDB’s Ayyappa Sangamam Accounts

Overview

• The court directed the auditor to file a detailed report within ten days and asked the auditing firm to submit a statement on anomalies, deficiencies, lapses, and recommended safeguards.
• The judges said records show money was committed and disbursed without vouchers or clear approvals, indicating weak internal controls at the Travancore Devaswom Board.
• The contract for event management and infrastructure was awarded to IIIC without competitive quotations, with auditors flagging missing justifications and non-production of original supporting bills.
• Auditors reported IIIC’s subcontracting without GST documentation, consolidated invoices that obscured cost verification under a cost‑plus contract, and discrepancies in joint measurement reports including VIP food charges.
• Bank records showed sponsorship receipts below reported spending, including contributions from Dhanlaxmi Bank, Kerala State Co-operative Bank and Adani Vizhinjam, as well as a ₹5 crore transfer from the Devaswom Commissioner, while TDB has yet to place a consolidated, verified account and the State Audit Department said sought records were not provided.